FruitarGeek
Yo yo
So from time to time, I go on a research spree finding out which pedals are better etc. And I do this often, so be prepared to see more of these around. So I researched delay pedals as it seems I may need a new one soon (hopefully not). My current delay is a DD3 and its been amazing, a complete joy. So simple. So now ive gone on a new binge for bigger and better, well pretty much I am now looking for a delay pedal that has 2 req: 1. It sounds good 2. has tap tempo (NB for studio). These are the delays ive researched so far and are rather interesting.
Boss DD-20
Boss DD-7
TC Electonics Nova Delay
Diamond Memory Lane 2
Eventide Timefactor
Electro Harmonix Memory Man with Hazarai
So if you had to go with one of these, which one would you choose?
If you think ive missed out on a good one, let me know. Im not to phased on it having modulation, and I think most of them do. I just want it to sound clear, have a good tone, tap tempo and easy to use. The Eventide looks way to difficult.
Mr-M
Add this one to your list: Strymon Brigadier. I'm loving mine. Easy to use with authentic, beautiful sounding analog style delay, all-analog dry signal path (hugely important!), tap tempo, subdivisions, great modulation and an assignable expression pedal input. There's a separate "favourite switch" you can buy to recall one preset giving you two settings to switch between live. The best feature IMO is when you hold down the tap switch it starts to oscillate and squeal. Awesome 'cos I don't have to bend down to make crazy ray gun sounds! Simple and great sounding, plus it's cheaper than some of the pedals on your list ($299 US).
http://www.strymon.net/products/brigadier/
CDee
I used a DD3 for a long time, I also did a bit of research and ended up buy a Nova Delay. It beats most others in functionality and tone, even price was not that bad. It would probably be best to try out a few yourself and see if you like it, if it fits into your current rig etc...
Brentcgp (on this forum) has Empress {insert correct name here} delay... Those also sound amazing. Kind find the thread right now, but that is also worth checking out.
?
DonovanB
Nice Thread!
I also like delay. although I use it sparingly to add to tone more than I use it as a full effect but it is handy and can be very cool on stage.
FruitarGeek wrote
2. has tap tempo (NB for studio).
I am a
little bit lazy cheat in the studio. If a part has delay in it, I will monitor with the effect, but add it to the guitar track later in the mix. I find you have better control over it that way. With effects and guitar, unlike EQ, it is much easier to add than to remove and thus saves time in the studio.
The harder part is then trying to get your delay pedal sounding the same as the recording.
Bob-Dubery
Consider the Line 6 DL4. You have three presets that you can set up for different types of effect and different settings and has a tap tempo feature. You can also configure it so that when you turn the effect off the current echo continues until it dies out rather than just stopping dead.
You also get a loop feature.
http://line6.com/dl4/
Bob-Dubery
You might also look at the Carl Martin range. They have some nice stuff. NB! Many of their pedals run off mains only - no batteries.
Ray
I bought the DD-7 from Musicmadness just the other day. I havent tried it yet but understand it also has a loop feature not as hectic as dedicated loopers but good to have a go on.
aubs1
CDee wrote
I used a DD3 for a long time, I also did a bit of research and ended up buy a Nova Delay. It beats most others in functionality and tone,
I've had the Boss DD3 for some time too, and really like it. But I noticed my friend, Stratisfear, does not use it at all whenever he comes over for little jam sessions. He prefers to play "dry", and that works for him.......... however, Arjun Menon used it and sounds great!!!!
Last week I got the TC ELECTRONIC (happy..... MoJo JoJoe.......hahaaha. ?) Nova Delay as well, and I am in total agreement with CDee here, what an awesome and versatile piece of equipment........ love it!!!!
Let's see what Stratisfear thinks when he and (hopefully) Andrew Bryson come over the weekend........
Garth-S
I've been scouting the TC Electronic Nova Repeater. It's cheaper than the Nova Delay, and more simplified. If it were me I'd bag a Nova Repeater.
shadow1
I got the NOVA DELAY based on some research and reference from this website. I am very happy with it and its really easy to use which is a bonus.
PLUS it takes minimal space on your board and has the tap delay function ?
Nova repeater is also wicked and cheaper, altho if my memory serves me right I never took that pedal because I wanted reverse delay...maybe not but there was a reason I got the nova delay.
Personally If i had the choice i would still prefer to have the eventide, to me thats the best delay out there but it is abit more complex.
Line 6 DL4 sounds good aswell...
Bob-Dubery
Aubs1 wrote
I've had the Boss DD3 for some time too, and really like it. But I noticed my friend, Stratisfear, does not use it at all whenever he comes over for little jam sessions. He prefers to play "dry", and that works for him.
How many GT-8s does he require to get that dry sound?
ezietsman
+1 on the DD7. I got a new one from Bothner's at their Bday sale for R1200. Its awesome. You get the standard digital delay of up to almost 8 seconds, as well as modulated, reverse and, my favourite, the analogue. It has tap tempo, so you tap on the quarter notes of your songs and then, based on its setting, it will make the delay time quarters, eights, dotted eights, triplets etc. It's hold mode allows you to record and layer for up to 40s. Thats pretty decent. The other pedal I was considering is the Hardwire DL-8. Similar features, except It can only hold for 20s and I wanted (and are) using it for practising by myself so I went for the one with higher loop time. Plus it's a standard Boss pedal and doesn't take up as much space as some of the others. If you want hardcore features its maybe better to look at other more fancy ones.
aubs1
X-rated Bob wrote
Aubs1 wrote
I've had the Boss DD3 for some time too, and really like it. But I noticed my friend, Stratisfear, does not use it at all whenever he comes over for little jam sessions. He prefers to play "dry", and that works for him.
How many GT-8s does he require to get that dry sound?
Hahaha........Bob, he does'nt use the GT8 when he comes over.............. ?
Aldertguitarist
The latest addition to my pedal board is a Digitech Hardwire DL-8. It's an amazing pedal. My pedalcase itself is small, so space was an issue and this thing is nice and compact, but solid as a rock.
Features:
- Loop function
- Tap tempo
- Slap back delay
- Reverse
- Modulated
- Tape
- Analog
- Lo-fi
It's really awesome quality, and my favourite pedal in my board at the moment!
FruitarGeek
Great suggestions guys
Yea the Nova delay looks rather hot, but Im definitely going to check out the repeater, I don't need all them bells and whistles I just want a delay. Like the DD3 has a HOLD function that is seriously the most useless function ever. Ha ha.
As far as I know the Diamond ML2 is the only analog pedal with tap tempo, but damn it is expensive, and personally I feel it is targeted at a more rock genre, as it has some serious feedback noises it can make. I just think a good delay should be clean, like ok I know a lot of you are going to burn me at the stake for saying this but I cant stand the MXR carbon copy, it sounds waaaay to 'mushy' for me, and it hardly has any repeats to it. It will go like 4 times and then its done. I know its analog, but wow, thats one pedal I will never get. I think the Nova sounded better than the Eventide then again, maybe Youtube lied ?
@X-rated Bob - Yea I know the DL4 is like the industry standard for delays, all the big artists use it, but I dont know, it seemed a little 'thin' to me, and didnt really stand out. Its also bulky and I don't like the knobs it uses to change effects (not the footswitches). But I shouldnt be close minded about it
matta
Well the Eventide is the most expensive of the bunch, and to my ears, better, which is why I own both a Mod and Timefactor.
This topic has come up several times, so look for my answers in other threads, but there are pros and cons to each. I settled with the Eventides for several reasons, but also enjoy the TC stuff, the Eventides just cover more ground and constantly being updated and added to via USB firmware upgrades.
It comes down to budgets and needs at the end of the day, as with all gear purchases.
Cheers
Matt
FruitarGeek
So I think Ive chiseled down my choice. Its now resting between 3 pedals.
Boss DD-20 v Nova Repeater v Nova Delay
Apparently the Boss mixes its delay with the guitars dry signal so technically sounds better, but the Nova's allow you to set the delay type to dotted 8 or triplet etc. thereby customizing your delay further. And im not quite sure if I want presets and bright LED's or not thus choosing between the Nova's. I suppose the Boss is in between those 2. But they are both somewhat evenly priced so I must choose carefully.
@matta - I am not surprised you got the Eventide, you a a technician after all ? I'm really no sound engineer, so I don't want to be fiddling around the whole time. The eventide did sound nice though.
AlanRatcliffe
Eventide would be my first choice too, if money was no object - the most features (dual delay engines are the only way to go if you are serious about your delays , IMO) and the highest quality delay tones. Nova Delay for slightly more pristine delays and better usability but less features. Nova repeater is cheaper and great quality, but lacks some features I find essential. The Boss does the job and can be found very cheaply.
Some may prefer delays with more character - things like the Electroharmonix Memory man or even analog delays, but I don't know any off hand that have tap tempo.
I got a great deal on a Nova Delay, which is will do for now, but I will still upgrade to an Eventide.
Jacquesg4j
FruitarGeek wrote
So I think Ive chiseled down my choice. Its now resting between 3 pedals.
Boss DD-20 v Nova Repeater v Nova Delay
Apparently the Boss mixes its delay with the guitars dry signal so technically sounds better, but the Nova's allow you to set the delay type to dotted 8 or triplet etc. thereby customizing your delay further. And im not quite sure if I want presets and bright LED's or not thus choosing between the Nova's. I suppose the Boss is in between those 2. But they are both somewhat evenly priced so I must choose carefully.
@matta - I am not surprised you got the Eventide, you a a technician after all ? I'm really no sound engineer, so I don't want to be fiddling around the whole time. The eventide did sound nice though.
I have a DD-20 and you can also set the delay type to triplet, dotted 8 etc... it has a lot... and like 11 different delay "modes"... Dual, tape, pan, normal etc... Works well for me... Second hand under R2000, I would say the best budget delay pedal, and quality wise, right up there with some of the best more pricey delay pedals!
Jacquesg4j
